to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
Romans 15:30
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)
I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:18-19)
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (Colossians 4:3)
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 1:25)
For Paul, prayer is his default mode, both asking for prayer and praying for fellow believers. To the church in Ephesus he writes: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19) We see a similar focus in his words to the church in Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica and to Timothy and Philemon.
This need for mutual prayer, to be praying for one another, is not only a foundational theological truth of our faith, it is a practical demonstration of the bond of love we share in Christ. In my role as a pastor, it is my privilege to pray for you, and it is my joy to know that you are praying for me. This is a season when the prayers of brothers and sisters in the Lord are providing sustaining grace in my life.
As I wind down my responsibilities over the next couple of weeks and prepare of my summer break, I ask you to pray for rest, refreshment and renewed strength. James tells us, Tremendous power is made available through...earnest prayer (James 5:16). May we experience more of His power and grace as we pray for one another in the days ahead.
Please access the Prayer Corner page to stay up-to-date with the prayer needs of our church family. If you have a prayer request, contact Janet Armstrong or one of our Elders; we would be pleased to pray for you/ with you.